Cloud 9 (2008)

Good concept, poorly executed.

Blistering performances.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Blistering performances.

The film poses the question : what do we do when we can the chance of some happiness, and someone else may be hurt as a result? Ignore it if it makes us feel guilty, or give into it and accept that there will be a price to pay. And it is a good question as happiness is such an elusive quality. Igne has been with ( and presumably married to) Werner for some thirty years. They are fond of it each other, content with each other, but their relationship is dull, maybe always was. He loves trains, likes watching film of trains, travelling on them, reading about them, telling their grandchildren about trains, a man obsessed. Meanwhile Inge unexpectedly feels a strong attraction to Karl and for the first time, late in life, and goes off Werner's rails. She is torn ( "I didn't want this"), still fond of Werner, but drawn to Karl. She confides in her daughter Petra who is glad her mother is happy, who tells her to say nothing to Werner. But Inge cares so much for him, she tells him. It is a truly remarkable performance from Ursula Werner. The scene when she learns of the death of Werner is wonderfully moving. The direction is excellent and subtle. I liked the scene of the morning after she tells Werner and the camera is static as she walks around their flat not knowing whether to disturb him, finally knocking on his bedroom to find (we presume) he has gone out. She no longer knows what he is doing. And the scene at the funeral where Inge is frozen with true grief as people line up to formally comfort with. It is a very "real" film. All the actors distinguish themselves. I found this film compelling from the beginning to the end. It is genuine, heartfelt. The question is impossible to answer but I felt sympathy for the plight of Inge. We do the best we can. Time spent watching this film is not time wasted.

"Wolke 9" German film title for 'Cloud 9'. The subject may not be so novel, it's about love and marriage, or you might say relationship 101 revisited. Yet the aspect of falling in love afresh for a woman at 67, discovering her erogenous zones and feelings with a new beau of 76 and thereafter certainly made us open our eyes and care for the persons involved. What does one do back at home with the husband of 30 years of marriage? What is the husband like? She tries to fight it as social norm expects, but this falling in love again feeling is irresistible. It's enchanting passion. It's an opportunity to take a look at what's really happening to one's stage in life at hand. And is the 76-year old lover worth the 'trouble' - what is he like? And we are also introduced to the daughter - what does she thinks of her mother's secret? Director Andreas Dresen, who co-wrote the screenplay with three other writers, has given us a natural happenstance of love affairs, exceptional in the sense that the story exclusively revolves around 'older' maturing-age people - a theme seldom seen on screen. It's heartening to be able to appreciate the straightforward approach to the love-making scenes that are intimately explicit, accepting the anatomy of matured bodies, wrinkled or soft. Any nudity scenario is not at all gratuitous but simply befitting to what's happening at the particular moment of the 'storyline'.Inge, our 67 year old heroine of the story, is portrayed with impressive naturalness and emotional depth by Ursula Werner - best actress awards well-deserved. Karl, the refreshing energy source for Inge, is remarkably played with vitality by Horst Westphal - yes, we want to go cycling, swimming, attend racing events and run in the rain with him. Werner, the husband, is played restrainedly effective by Horst Rehlberg, demonstrating how listless his life has become, in spite of occasional cuddling affection in bed with Inge, spending time with grandchildren, visiting his father at convalescent home, even listening to 'choo-choo' train are just dull routines that raise no smile. He does seem so tired - of life? Inge's affair probably makes his head hurt - does he have to make extra effort to enjoy life? The story centrally revolves around Inge, hence besides the emotional ups and downs, we get to follow her going about with daily activities, including the added touch of belonging to a women's church choir, participating in rehearsals and singing songs together - comfortable camaraderie detected. (In the press kit - available on Cannes 2008 online under "Cloud 9" page* - director Dresen's comments are included, and he mentioned that it was Ursula Werner who suggested the 'choir' aspect of Inge's life.) 'Cloud 9' is worthwhile viewing and highly recommended.Films by association: I recall the Brazilian film by Marcos Bernstein, "The Other Side of the Street" 2004, contains a tender exchange scene between two older persons making love (Fernanda Montenegro as Regina and Raul Cortez as Camargo) which was sensitively delivered unabashed. Paul Cox's film "Innocence" 2000, with Julia Blake as Claire and Charles Tingwell as Andreas, also marvelously depicts a married woman falling in love again in her 'later years' - not an impossible or improbable scenario at all.* Cannes Festival - Festival Archives - 2008 - Selections - 'Un Certain Regard' - Wolke 9

When I saw the summary of the movie with a bright, strong image of the characters, I thought it would be quite exciting to see a movie about a (kind of) love triangle of elder people.I mean, feelings constituted on pity, gratitude, humanity or any other cliché about age really bored... Thus, the possibility of seeing a story about elder people which doesn't care about age itself was exciting.Additionally the strong sex images in the movie made me think the director will open up some provocative conflicts...However, the script was so conventional and straight... Maybe the word shallow can fit here, I don't know... The problem for me was, without the detail of the characters age, there's nothing special in the movie. On the other hand, the concept of age should be totally discarded (so we should be looking for something else?) or discussed... Neither of them was there, so there was just a lack I guess...

I saw this film at the Cannes Film Festival 2008 and I must say of the 20+ films that I saw this was the most beautiful and most moving. This by far is the best film that I have seen in a long time. It takes a level of mental maturity to get past the "eeww old people sex" and see the story for itself. The film is touching, honest and emotional. The director did an amazing job in conveying the raw emotion of the situation. The actress that plays Inge was phenomenal. I could not see anyone else in that role. She was not playing a role but actually being. I highly recommend this film to anyone that enjoys true, honest, emotional and full films. If you like the light fluffy films this isn't for you. This is a film that will stay with you for awhile. (heck I saw it almost a month ago and I'm still thinking about it).